March 2026 · Italy & New Zealand
Two Hemispheres — One Wine World
While vineyards sleep in the north, harvest begins in the south.
Over the past six weeks, I have had the opportunity to spend time in New Zealand visiting my daughter and exploring one of the most exciting wine regions in the Southern Hemisphere. Being there at this time of year is a fascinating reminder of how the wine world moves in two completely different rhythms depending on where you are on the planet.
Right now in the Northern Hemisphere — in regions like France, Italy, Spain, and here in Canada — vineyards are still quiet. The vines are dormant, resting through winter while winemakers prepare for the growing season ahead. In many vineyards, growers are carefully pruning the vines, cutting them back and shaping the plant for the coming vintage. These decisions determine how the vines will grow and how much fruit they will ultimately produce.
But in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the exact opposite. March marks the beginning of harvest. Across New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina, vineyards are alive with activity as grapes are being picked and brought into the winery. It is the most exciting and intense time of year for winemakers — the moment when an entire season’s work finally becomes wine.
Spending the past six weeks in New Zealand while knowing that vineyards in Europe and here at home in Canada are still sleeping made me reflect on something I love about wine: somewhere in the world, vines are always growing, grapes are always fermenting, and wine is always being made.
So for this month’s WineClub, I wanted to celebrate both sides of the wine world by selecting one wine from the Old World and one from the New World — wines that reflect different climates, traditions, and winemaking philosophies.
This month’s wine selections
From Bardolino to Marlborough
To bring this month’s theme to life, the selections take us from the historic vineyards of northern Italy to the cool coastal landscapes of New Zealand.
With Easter just around the corner, I also wanted to choose wines that would pair beautifully with a traditional spring meal. Many Easter tables feature lamb, while others lean toward turkey or roasted poultry. With that in mind, this month’s selections are versatile wines that shine alongside these classic dishes.
If lamb is on your menu, the New Zealand Pinot Noir will be a natural pairing. Pinot Noir’s bright acidity and gentle tannins complement the richness of lamb without overpowering it. If your Easter table leans more toward turkey or lighter roasted dishes, the Benazzoli Daphne offers a wonderful option — its vibrant fruit and refreshing acidity make it an elegant partner for poultry, herb-driven dishes, and spring vegetables.
Old World selection · Bardolino DOC, Veneto, Italy
Benazzoli ‘Daphne’
Our Old World selection takes us to northern Italy, to the Veneto region near the eastern shores of Lake Garda. This area is known for producing vibrant, elegant wines that reflect the moderating influence of the lake and the region’s long winemaking history.
The Benazzoli ‘Daphne’ comes from the Bardolino appellation and is made primarily from the Corvina grape, the same variety that forms the backbone of the famous Valpolicella wines. In Bardolino, however, the focus is on freshness and finesse rather than power.
This wine shows bright aromas of red cherry and wild strawberry, with delicate floral notes and a hint of spice. Light-to-medium in body with lively acidity and gentle tannins, it is an incredibly versatile wine at the table.
Food pairing
Wines like this are a wonderful reminder of the Italian philosophy that wine is meant to accompany food. The Daphne pairs beautifully with roasted poultry, herb-driven dishes, charcuterie, and lighter meat dishes such as turkey.
New World selection · Marlborough, New Zealand
Deep Down Pinot Noir
For the New World selection, I wanted to highlight a wine from New Zealand after spending the past six weeks there. Marlborough is best known for Sauvignon Blanc, but the region is increasingly recognized for producing vibrant and expressive Pinot Noir. The cool maritime climate allows grapes to ripen slowly while preserving the freshness and acidity that Pinot Noir thrives on.
During my time in New Zealand, tasting Pinot Noir in its home vineyards was a wonderful reminder of how beautifully this grape expresses itself in the country’s cool coastal climate.
The Deep Down Pinot Noir captures this character wonderfully, showing notes of cherry, raspberry, and subtle earthy undertones with soft tannins and a vibrant finish.
Food pairing
One of the most versatile wines at the table — it pairs beautifully with lamb, roasted poultry, mushroom dishes, and herb-driven spring cuisine.
Salute!
Wine learning
Cork vs screw cap — why some wines open differently
Wine bottles are typically sealed either under cork or under screw cap. For centuries, wine has been sealed with cork harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, and many traditional European regions such as Italy, France, and Spain still favour this closure.
To reduce the risk of cork taint caused by trichloroanisole (TCA) — commonly referred to as a wine being “corked” — many producers now use synthetic corks or cork composites that mimic the traditional stopper while minimizing the risk of contamination. A corked wine often smells like wet cardboard, damp newspaper, or a musty basement. The wine is not harmful to drink, but the aromas and flavours will be muted. If a wine smells musty in this way, it is perfectly appropriate to politely send the bottle back at a restaurant.
In more recent decades, countries such as New Zealand and Australia have widely adopted screw cap closures. These closures provide a very tight seal that preserves freshness and eliminates the risk of cork taint. Screw caps are also valued for their consistency and recyclability, making them an attractive option from both a quality and sustainability perspective.
Today, excellent wines are bottled under both closures. This month’s selections showcase both approaches: the Benazzoli Daphne bottled under cork (natural or synthetic) and the Deep Down Pinot Noir from New Zealand bottled under screw cap.